Compose Yourself!

BY Andy Barnett

To compose a life rich in musicality we need to understand that resonance is a universal attribute common to all that exists. An understanding of the dynamics of resonance in the natural world is the first lesson in the discipline of living a musicallife.

Simple numerical ratio is the underlying principle of all resonant phenomenon.Integral relationships between forces and materials manifest all around us,creating an inherently resonant universe. Resonant qualities are displayed in the rainbow, the hardness of a stone, and the phases of the moon. The ancient Pythagorean school of natural philosophy saw the rhythm of the cosmos in thesimple vibrations of a string.

A constant stress or load is put on the string by means of a weight (figure 1, page 4). Internal resilience generated by molecular bonds within the string pull against the stress, keeping the string from flying apart. The balance of load and resilience is called the rest state of a resonant system. This balance is crucial in sustaining any resonant system. Too much stress and the system falls apart; too muchinner resilience and the system stiffens, becoming brittle and unresponsive. Similarrelationships between forces and materials sustain everything in the universe.

Striking the string lengthens the string ever so slightly, disturbing the rest state.Set in motion by the impact, the inner resilience of the system instantly begins toreturn it to the balanced condition of the rest state.Waves of energy travel back and forth along the string until all the energy of the initiating blow has been dissipated into the surrounding environment. In the case of the string, we experience this dissipation of energy as sound. Inner resilience, load, impact, and dissipation are common elements to all resonant systems, including stars, church bells,atomic quantum fields, and a love-struck heart.

The Pythagoreans observed the oscillations of the string and saw that they described whole numbers and their ratios (figure 2, page 5). These ratios are called"the harmonic series of vibration." To the Pythagoreans these harmonic ratios weresacred symbols representing aspects of nature, especially the movements of the heavenly bodies, as well as aspects of human nature long associated with the planets.

These ancient thinkers perceived a critical truth. They saw that physical phenomenacould be expressed truthfully with numbers. This was the first elucidationof the Western scientific paradigm in which natural events and processes are

Inner Resilience Tone Material Load or Stress seen as a physical manifestation of numeric principles. The tone of a musical instrument is a clear example of this truth, but all systems in resonance generatethe same harmonic ratios. Ever since Pythagoras, the evolution of science hasshown us the depth of this insight. Resonant principles are at the heart of existenceitself. Quantum mechanics pictures the nucleus of the atom as surroundedby electron clouds, harmonic levels of energy where particles exist as frequencypatterns and waves of energy are measured in discreet units (figure 3, page 6).

All matter consists of a just few types of subatomic particles-principally protons,neutrons, and electrons. The vast array of atomicqualities-hardness, lightness,radioactivity, and so forth-are the products of resonant relationshipsbetween the subatomic particles, especially the resonance binding the positively charged nucleus with the negatively charged electrons resonating around it. The material world, and our experience of it, is composed from the massless harmony generated within the atoms, not the physical particles themselves.

A good example of this elemental harmony is the two forms of oxygen. Commonly, two atoms of oxygen join together and create molecular oxygen (O2), the life-giving gas no animal can live without. In a highly energized situation such as a lightning storm, oxygen atoms form ozone (O3). In the lower atmosphere, ozone can be highly poisonous. In the upper atmosphere, however, it blocks ultraviolet rays, a form of electromagnetic radiation destructive to life. Although the atoms making up the two forms of oxygen are the same, the resonant forces binding O2 and O3 take different forms, and these patterns of energy create vastly different effects. Every element shows us how relationships between matter and energywithin atoms define identity and behavior more than the atomic material itself.

Imagine a hydrogen (one proton and one electron) twice the size of a football field. At this scale the proton would be the size of a tiny pebble. The single electron would be resonating in a probability cloud around the proton. Step away from the proton-pebble. The mass of the electron would not be evident for a hundred yards. Invisible forces of charge and angular momentum bind the system over the distance. Atomic fission and fusion break these subatomic patterns. The amazing power of the sun and thermonuclear bombs show us that incredible energy is held in the "empty space" between subatomic particles.

In similar fashion, celestial resonance operates over the light years of outer space, and deep feelings are sustained between people separated by great distances.Every aspect of matter, the cosmos, and living relationships exists between the bits of physical matter. Proportionately, the solid matter of any atom (or galaxy) is incredibly small when compared to the expanse of the resonant field holding the matter together.We experience not the solid stuff of creation, but a harmony of binding resonant relationships.

The miraculous beauty of the stars in the night sky comes primarily from the forces that continually keep them in motion century after century. We do not experience the material of the material world.We live and love in a multitude of interpenetrating fields of resonance, from the quantum fields of atoms to the whirling of the star fields.Weather, the abundant earth, political power, art, and all the rest are essentially complex harmonic wave patterns, a great repertoire of natural musicality.

Take a look around and imagine the electrons singing in their clouds around the nuclei. Our nervous system is "tuned" to perceive these leaping quantum energies.We literally feel specific resonant qualities operating at the atomic level in the hardness of iron, the invigorating breath of fresh air, the silkiness of polished silver, and the richness of the azure twilight. The mellow sound of the cello and the skirl of the bagpipe results from qualities of atomic relationships deep within the instruments themselves. In the softness of a kiss, the coldness of the stone, or the blast of the trumpet, forces singing at the core of the elements touch us.

Everything that really matters in our lives-stability, self-expression, empathy, and inspiration-follows the same scheme. Dynamic relationships and interactions over time create the variety of life on earth. Resonant principles define atomic and human relationship alike. Resonance plays between atomic particles, and the elements spin before our eyes. The forces of empathy and desire dance between hearts, and loving relationships grow. An active, swirling, dynamic harmony of forces moves through time and space, binding star to star and heart to heart.

All matter is composed of a few elemental particles. Music is composed from discreet elements as well: simple pulses of time and a limited number of tones. The building blocks of matter and the elements of music are held together by similar principles, resulting in more complex expressions. Our eyes, hands, and ears inform us of the harmony singing throughout the material world. Our feelings, fears, emotions, and inspirations inform us of the resonance at play between people. The forms of resonance in the natural world are as varied and diverse as the range of human thought, and yet from the simplest to the most complex, the musicality of creation presents itself as clear as a bell.

Molecules and Genetics

Every molecule is a unique harmony of atoms, a harmony of harmonies.We cannot say that molecular forms have intentions similar to our own, but elements do tend to act in certain ways. These "intentions" are a product of the internal resonant forces. Due to the configurations of quantum energy in the outer electron clouds, the inert gasses are very set on autonomy. They strongly resist combining with any other element. In contrast, oxygen is a molecular floozy, readily bonding with any number of various elements. Crystals exhibit a repetitive geometry that is similar to the sonic geometry of a round such as "Row, Row, Row Your Boat." In both forms exact copies of resonant forms are linked one after the other.

Certain complex organic molecules can actually grow under the right conditions even though they are not alive per se. The biochemistry of proteins and DNA suggests that the geometry of molecules determines their function. These qualities are the products of the dynamic forces whirling in resonance within all these various molecules.

Your genetic material is a stern conductor, leading a many-voiced ensemble of cells ruled by laws of organic harmony. Cell by cell, your unique genetic harmony rings out consistently true and clear. In your blood, your marrow, and your gut, a unique genetic harmony sings your song over and over again. Through molecular replication, every note in the genetic composition is rendered generation after generation.